After his sparkling should be setting his Show ataugusta, now Bob sights on the Ryder Cup
EXCLUSIVE – Sky ’s EWEN MURRAY hails the Rising Son, and tips young Scot for stardom
A star was bor n at Augusta last weekend – and not just in the shape of the new US Mas t e r s C h a m p i o n , Hideki Matsuyama.
While Japan was finally able to celebrate its first male winner of a Major after years of trying, Bob Macintyre also dazzled on his Masters debut.
Already loved at home in Scotland, Bob won over a new army of fans for finishing tied 12th – the best finish by a Scot since Colin Montgomerie tied for eighth in 1998 – to secure an immediate return trip down Magnolia Lane in 12 months’ time.
The Oban left- hander made a clutch birdie putt on the last to clinch his 2022
‘ For the last three rounds, Macintyre’s performance was outstanding
spot, and that sort of nerve won’t have gone unnoticed by Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington.
Ewen Murray described it all for Sky Sports, and the commentator couldn’t help but be impressed by Macintyre’s performance – on and off the course.
“After a first-round 74, to make the top-12 should be a massive b o o st to his confidence that he can take on the best in the world,” Murray told The Sunday Post.
“For the last three rounds, his performance was outstanding. And to birdie the last was big. He played his way in to next year’s field – he didn’t fall in.
“Bob has the world at his feet, and it’s thoroughly deserved.
“Everyone took to him at The Masters. He’s nicenatured, confident without being arrogant, and a really decent lad.
“It’s a great story. We’ve had guys like Sa m To r r a n c e , Colin Mo n t g o m e r i e and Sandy Lyle. But it’s been a while.
“Scotland out for a is crying Hideki
Matsuyama – and maybe Bob can fill that role.
“A lot of the social media reaction we had at Sky last weekend was about Bob. He’s endeared himself to golf fans, and not just ones in Scotland.
“I hesitate to say it, but Bob’s got star quality – in his manner, his demeanour, the way we plays.
“Bob is a ‘proper golfer’. I can’t see a weakness in his game. He loves playing golf, and he has a cavalier style.
“He doesn’t spend too much time on theory, and he’s not worried how he gets the ball in the hole. So long may that continue.”
Macintyre’s efforts in Georgia moved him up to 10th in the standings to make the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in September.
Only the top nine qualify automatically, and there is currently a decent gap between him and Englishman, Matt
Fitzpatrick, in the final spot.
But having made the cut in all four Majors he has played in so far, Macintyre has shown an ability to compete on the big stage.
A n d Mu r r a y has no doubts that Bob could transfer that to the most high-pressured stage in golf.
“The Ryder Cup is a real goal if his schedule is organised correctly,” said Sky’s “Voice of Golf”.
“Bob can’t have too much jumping across the Atlantic outside of the Majors.
“I’d be very surprised if he didn’t make it, given the way he has played. But he will be a strong contender for a wildcard anyway.
“Sometimes, captains have a problem with rookies, but I don’t. The question is are they good enough – and this lad is good enough.”
As Macintyre gets used to an increased profile, that is nothing c o m p a re d to that of Matsuyama, the first Asian winner of the Green Jacket.
At 29, he had already won two WGCS and three other events on the PGA Tour, so his credentials were clear.
But for Murray, this Augusta triumph could be the catalyst for Japan to become a golfing powerhouse as others look to emulate him.
“Japan has been crying out for a superstar for years,” he admitted.
“Isao Aoki came close in 1980 when he was runner- up to Jack Nicklaus at the US Open.
“They’ve been making clubs and balls. But they needed a star on the course. For Hideki to win The Masters is the No. 1 in their eyes.
“For years, Japanese players did not really need to travel because they had a very successful tour at home.
“But Hideki’s win will open the floodgates. He’s the perfect role model – young, a good- looking guy, respectful.
“It should boost the interest in golf among younger people, and the challenge will be to build driving ranges and courses to match that, given limited space.
“We thought YE Yang, the South Korean, would make a difference as the first Asian Major Champion when he won the US PGA in 2009.
“But he didn’t have the charisma of Matsuyama, while the impact of winning The Masters is tenfold to that of the PGA.
“And with the Olympics coming u p, this is enormous.
“Yo u can picture Matsuyama being asked to light the flame, or maybe carry the Japanese flag wearing his Green Jacket. That’s how big his win was.
“And maybe Hideki will convince all the top names to go to Tokyo, to try to emulate Justin Rose as a gold-medal winner.”